Political Decision

February 7, 1986

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — Kim Young-sam, a leading opposition figure, announced Thursday that he will rejoin the New Korea Democratic Party. Observers say Kim is likely to prod the party into positions that will bring it more into conflict with the government of President Chun Doo-hwan. One issue is direct presidential elections. Kim, a former NKDP president, was banned from political activity after Chun came to power in 1980. The ban was lifted last February, but Kim stayed on the sidelines in support of Kim Dae-jung, the most widely known government opponent, who is banned from any political participation.